Impacting apparatus for driving convertible to pulling

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for driving and pulling objects such as poles, planks, boardings, and pipes, in which hammer means reciprocated by actuating means are slidably arranged in a holding body, said holding body being provided with a bottom surface and an axially spaced higher shoulder means while said hammer means has a head portion reciprocable between said bottom surface and said shoulder means, spring means selectively being insertable between said actuating means and said bottom surface for selectively converting the apparatus from a driving device to a pulling device.

United States Patent Uebel et al.

[151 3,651,873 [451' Mar. 28, 1972 [54] IMPACTIN G APPARATUS FOR DRIVING CONVERTIBLE TO PULLING [72] Inventors: Phillpp Uebel; l-lelmut Heckner, both of Munich; Gotthilf Schulin, Fellbach, all of [21] Appl. No.: 5,673

[52] U.S.CI. ..173/29,173/9l, 173/119 [51] Int. 02d 7/06 [58] Field ofSeal'ch ..299/29, 91, 119, 120, 121

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,014,295 l/1912 Gibbetal. ..173/91 1,102,652 7/1914 Gibbetal. ..173/9l 1,292,429 1/1919 Bull ..l73/29 Primary Examiner-Emest R. Purser Anomey-Walter Becker 571 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for driving and pulling objects such as poles, planks, boardings, and pipes, in which hammer means reciprocated by actuating means are slidably arranged in a holding body, said holding body being provided with a bottom surface and an axially spaced higher shoulder means while said hammer means has a head portion reciprocable between said bottom surface and said shoulder means, spring means selectively being insertable between said actuating means and said bottom surface for selectively converting the apparatus from a driving device to a pulling device.

32 Claims, 14 Drawing Flgures IMPACTING APPARATUS FOR DRIVING CONVERTIBLE TO PULLING The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for driving and pulling poles, planks, boardings, pipes, and the like.

As devices for driving poles and the like, various designs have become known, namely free fall pile drivers, free fall pile hammers, quick impact hammers, explosion drivers, vibration drivers and hydraulic drivers. All of these devices can be used only for driving an object, for instance, a plank, but cannot be used for pulling.

For pulling purposes, there are known devices, for instance a pole puller, which is operated by steam or compressed air. Furthermore, pulling devices have become known, namely the so-called electrically operated vibration drivers and diesel pole pullers.

As devices which are suitable for pulling as well as for driving, there are known the so-called vibration rams. All heretofore known devices of the type involved, regardless of whether they are used for pulling or for driving or for driving and pulling, are dependent on a source of energy, for instance, a compressor or a hydraulic motor which interfere with the universal use of such devices. Aside therefrom, almost all of these devices are very heavy, their weight varying from 1 ton to tons, so that they require heavy steel frame structures, for instance, lifting frames or track laying frames for lifting and transporting such devices. Furthermore, such devices are expensive and complicated and the employment of steel frames involves the outlay of considerable amounts of money.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method of and device for driving and pulling poles, planks, boardings, pipes, and the like, which will have a considerably reduced weight over heretofore known devices of the type involved and can be universally used.

This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I illustrates the principal arrangement and design of a device according to the invention when used as pile driver.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement according to the invention when used as pulling device.

FIG. 3 represents an arrangement according to the invention with a hydraulic clamping device.

FIG. 4 shows the device according to the invention with a mechanical clamping device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the clamping wedge of a mechanical clamping device according to the invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the end faces of the wedge according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 represents a device according to the invention for use as a free rider in a frame for pile driving.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the device of FIG. 8 but without the working device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of a device according to the invention as free rider for pulling purposes.

FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG. 10 without the working device.

FIG. 12 shows a closed arrangement according to the invention used as free rider.

FIG. 13 is a side view ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a power indicating device according to the invention.

The device according to the present invention for driving and pulling poles, planks, boardings, pipes, and the like, is characterized primarily in that as driving unit there is employed a manually guided device with an oscillating movement ofthe pushing mass.

According to a further feature of the invention, the driving unit is connected with the mass of a driver which mass slides longitudinally in a plier body which forms a housing. The plier body is through the intervention of elastic elements arranged in a guiding housing. When the device is designed for pulling, one or more spring means are arranged between the driver mass and the plier body.

According to another feature of the invention, the driver mass and the plier body forming a housing are detachably connected to each other by means of a bayonet joint. Furthermore, the driver mass and the plier body forming a housing are longitudinally displabeably but non-rotatably connected to each other.

According to a further feature of the invention, the driving unit and the driver mass are connected to each other through the intervention of elastic elements.

As clamping devices for the planks, boardings, and the like, which are to be driven or to be pulled, various devices may be employed as, for instance, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical clamping devices. The clamping devices of the hydraulic or pneumatic type may be actuated by a manually operable pump or by a motor driven pump. The arrangement of the pumps may selectively be such that the pumps are fixedly connected to the working device or are arranged separately therefrom. The working device is preferably designed as free rider. For purposes of protecting the working device, a frame work composed of pipes etc. or a closed mantle is provided. On the frame work there is preferably arranged a clearly visible power indicator.

By employing a working device with an oscillating pushing mass as driving mass for pulling and driving, there is provided a device which with regard to almost all heretofore known specific pulling and driving devices is rather light in weight. In view of the working method of the employed working device with an oscillating pushing mass, it will be assured, when pulling objects, that the driving unit together with the object to be pulled which is fixedly connected thereto will practically pull itself out by itself. This working method together with the low true specific weight, however, call only for a lifting device which must be able to absorb the weight of the object to be pulled together with the weight of the pulling device. The heretofore employed heavy and complicated lifting devices as, for instance, track laying driving frames, are no longer required inasmuch as the heretofore known devices for pulling can operate only under a considerable preload of a few tons.

Inasmuch as with the combination according to the invention the driving motor is connected to the driving unit, these devices can universally be employed which means that they are independent of energy sources, as for instance compressed air, and hydraulic motors. The corresponding costs for a device according to the invention for buying, servicing, amortizing, etc. represent over the costs for the heretofore employed heavy devices only a fraction of such costs.

With the arrangement according to the present invention it is also possible by changing the motor speed to adjust the device for an optimum number of blows in conformity with the respective ground conditions. This adjustment can be effected by means of a gas control handle. Such optimum number of blows is reflected not only by a fast driving or pulling of the profiles but also reflects in a wear which in the long run is rather minor.

Referringnow to the drawings in detail, a driving mass 3 is through elastic elements 2 fixedly mounted on a driving unit I. The driving mass 3 slides in a plier-shaped body 4 and is connected thereto by means of a bayonet joint. For a straight guiding of the driving mass 3 in the body 4 there are provided means 5 for preventing a rotation of the mass 3. The body 4 is by means of elastic elements 6 and 7 mounted in a guiding housing 8. The lower end of the body 4 may be provided with a suitable device for receiving the parts to be driven or pulled. The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows:

When the device according to the present invention operates as pulling device, a spring 9 is mounted in the hollow driving mass 3, said spring resting against the body 4 and against the flange of the vibration ram 1. In view of the downward movement produced by the vibration ram 1, the driver mass 3 is likewise moved downwardly. As a result thereof, while the spring 9 is being compressed, it is so designed that the driver mass 3 is unable to have its lower end 10 act upon the lower surface 11 of the body 4. During the l subsequent upward movement of the vibration ram 1 and the driver mass 3, the energy stored'in spring 9 will become free, and the driver mass 3 will with this upward movement have its surface 13 act upon the protruding surface 12 of the body 4. In view of this upwardly directed pushing movement, the pole or the like is pulled in such a way that the pole to be pulled and the driving unit will pull themselves out by themselves.

When the device according to the invention is used as ram, the driver mass 3 is detached from the vibration ram 1 by a simple removal of the screws 14 to remove the spring 9. After spring 9 has been removed and screws 14 have been re-assembled, the driver mass 3 will then be able during its downward movement to have its lower end 10 impact upon the surface 11 of the body 4 so that a driving effect will be obtained.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the guiding housing 8 is provided with a manual pump 15 which may be designed as pneumatic or hydraulic pump. The piston 17 is actuated through the intervention of a fluid passing through a conduit 16, said piston 17 being movably arranged in the body 4. The piston 17 cooperates with a fixedly arranged clamping member 18. The two sections 19 and 20 of the body 4 are of different length in order to facilitate the introduction, for instance, of a plank or the like.

When the device is used as a mechanical clamping device, two differently long clamping jaws 21 and 22 are by means of a wedge 23 braced against each other. The wedge 23 is by means of a screw 24 held in the body 4. In order to obtain a constant tensioning of the wedge 23 also during the working operation, the screw 24 is preloaded by means of an elastic element 25. if the wedge 23 should yield, this will be compensated for by the elastic element 25. The wedge 23 is preferably provided with two conical surfaces 26, 27 which may be employed whenever the need occurs. The free ends of wedge 23 have a key surface 28 in order to place one or the other of the two conical wedge surfaces 26, 27 against the clamping jaws 21, 22.

When the device is designed as free rider, the driving unit 1 (FIG. 8) is movably arranged in a pipe-shaped frame structure 29. At the upper end of the frame structure 29 there is provided a crane hook eye 30. The fuel tank 31 of the driving unit 1 is likewise arranged on the frame structure 29. The number of impacts of the driving unit 1 is by means of a device 32, mounted on the frame structure 29, controlled by cables or the like. For purposes of protecting the bellows 33 of the driving unit 1, the frame structure 29 is equipped with corresponding protective devices 34. When the device according to the invention is designed as driving device, guiding rails 35 and 36 for receiving the planks to be drivenare arranged at the lower end of the frame structure 29. The guiding rails 35 and 36 are preferably of different length.

When the device according to the invention is used as free rider, the driving unit 1 may be protective devices 38 and 39 (FIGS. 10-12) and 40 be shrouded partially or entirely. Furthermore, when the device is designed as free rider, preferably a power indicating device 37 may be provided on the frame structure 29, said power indicating device indicating, for instance, the pulling force of the lifting device.

The power indicating device 37 of FIG. 14 may, for instance, be so designed that between two engaging surfaces 43, 44 there is arranged a pressure spring 45 which cooperates with the crane hook eye 30. The force acting upon the crane hook eye 30 is through engaging surface 43 which is provided with an indicating device 42 indicated on a scale 41.

As pulling force, there is required only a force which makes possible a pulling out the entire arrangement, namely when the mantle friction of the object to be pulled, for instance, a plank, is lower than the weight of the plank and the pulling device.

The guiding housing 8 may be provided with an additional device which makes possible a guiding of the entire arrangement on one guiding member. During normal operation, for pulling and driving, the arrangement according to the invention is designed as free rider. As driving unit for the arrangement according to the invention for pulling and driving, preferably vibration rams and vibration hammers which are guided by hand may be used.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,790-Kestel issued Nov. 22, l966 shows in FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof a vibration ram or stamper means for compacting of earth and the like with such a device the drive motor is arranged on a drive means; the power transfer from the motor occurs by way of a coupling onto the drive means for instance and from here further upon a spring swinging or pivotal system. The swinging or pivotal system is joumalled in a spring or resilient cylinder means which is securely connected with the working tool, namely a ramming or stamping plate.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular showing in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for driving and pulling objects, especially poles, planks, boardings, and pipes, which includes: hammer means, actuating means operatively connected to said hammer means for reciprocating the same to and fro body holding means adapted to be connected to the-object to be driven or pulled, and having guiding surface means for iongitudinally slidably receiving and guiding said hammer means, said holding means also being provided with a bottom surface located at that end of said guiding surface means which is remote from said actuating means, and furthermore being provided with shoulder means arranged in axially spaced relationship to said bottom surface means and facing the same, said hammer means having a head portion reciprocable between said shoulder means and said bottom surface means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes spring means interposed intermediate connection between said bottom surface means and said actuating means, said spring means being so designed as to admit a longitudinal sliding movement of said hammer means in the direction toward said bottom surface means while preventing the latter from being directly impacted upon by said head portion, said head portion being operable by said spring means in response to the rebound of said spring means to impact upon said shoulder means to thereby cause said apparatus to act as pulling device.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, which includes guide housing means, and elastic supporting means arranged in said guide housing means and supporting said body holding means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said hammer means is detachably mounted in said holding means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said actuating means and said hammer means have interposed therebetween elastic elements and are detachably connected to each other.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes hydraulic clamping means mounted on said holding means for holding the object to be driven or pulled.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, which includes pumping means associated with said hydraulic clamping means for actuating the same.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which said holding means at that end portion thereof which is remote from said actuating means is provided with a cylinder and in which said hydraulic clamping means comprises a fluid-operable plunger reciprocable in said cylinder means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes pneumatic clamping means mounted on said holding means for holding the object to be driven or pulled.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, which includes pumping means associated with said pneumatic clamping means for actuating the latter.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes pumping means associated with said actuating means and also includes clamping means mounted on said holding means and operatively connected to said pumping means for actuation thereby.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes mechanical clamping means mounted on said holding means for holding the object to be driven or pulled, said clamping means comprising two prismatic unilaterally toothed clamping jaws, and means operable to adjust and brace said jaws.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, in which said means for adjusting and bracing said jaws is formed by a cylindrical taper key.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, in which said cylindrical taper key is provided with two conical surfaces.

15. An apparatus according'to claim 13, which includes screw means operatively connected to said taper key for adjusting and tightening the same.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, which includes elastic means preloading said screw means.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said device forms a free rider.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, which includes frame means supporting said free rider.

19 An apparatus according to claim 18, in which said frame means comprises a tubular frame including at least two pipes.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, in which said tubular frame is at least partially designed as a closed tubular mantle.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19, which includes a fuel tank for said actuating means, said fuel tank being mounted on said frame means.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, which includes elastic suspension means for elastically suspending said fuel tank on said frame means.

23. An apparatus according to claim 19, which includes connecting means mounted on said frame means, and guiding rail means detachably connected to said connecting means for receiving the object to be driven.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, in which said guiding rail means comprises guiding rails of different lengths.

25. An apparatus according to claim 18, which includes bellows means associated with said actuating means, and protective means supported by said frame means for protecting said bellows means.

26. An apparatus according to claim 18, which includes power indicating means arranged at the upper end of said frame means.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, in which said frame means has its upper end provided with eye means for suspension on a crane hook, said power indicating means being connected to said eye means.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26, in which said power indicating means includes spring means.

29. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes remote control means operatively connected to said actuating means for controlling the same.

30. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said holding means is provided with clamping jaws for holding the object to be pulled or driven, said clamping jaws differing in length from each other.

31. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said actuating means is formed by a vibration tamper.

32. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said actuating means is formed by a vibration hammer. 

1. An apparatus for driving and pulling objects, especially poles, planks, boardings, and pipes, which includes: hammer means, actuating means operatively connected to said hammer means for reciprocating the same to and fro body holding means adapted to be connected to the object to be driven or pulled, and having guiding surface means for longitudinally slidably receiving and guiding said hammer means, said holding means also being provided with a bottom surface located at that end of said guiding surface means which is remote from said actuating means, and furthermore being provided with shoulder means arranged in axially spaced relationship to said bottom surface means and facing the same, said hammer means having a head portion reciprocable between said shoulder means and said bottom surface means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes spring means interposed intermediate connection between said bottom surface means and said actuating means, said spring means being so designed as to admit a longitudinal sliding movement of said hammer means in the direction toward said bottom surface means while preventing the latter from being directly impacted upon by said head portion, said head portion being operable by said spring means in response to the rebound of said spring means to impact upon said shoulder means to thereby cause said apparatus to act as pulling device.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, which includes guide housing means, and elastic supporting means arranged in said guide housing means and supporting said body holding means.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said hammer means is detachably mounted in said holding means.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said actuating means and said hammer means have interposed therebetween elastic elements and are detachably connected to each other.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes hydraulic clamping means mounted on said holding means for holding the object to be driven or pulled.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, which includes pumping means associated with said hydraulic clamping means for actuating the same.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which said holding means at that end portion thereof which is remote from said actuating means is provided with a cylinder and in which said hydraulic clamping means comprises a fluid-operable plunger reciprocable in said cylinder means.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes pneumatic clamping means mounted on said holding means for holding the object to be driven or pulled.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, which includes pumping means associated with said pneumatic clamping means for actuating the latter.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes pumping means associated with said actuating means and also includes clamping means mounted on said holding means and operatively connected to said pumping means for actuation thereby.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes mechanical clamping means mounted on said holding means for holding the object to be driven or pulled, said clamping means comprising two prismatic unilaterally toothed clamping jaws, and means operable to adjust and brace said jaws.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, in which said means for adjusting and bracing said jaws is formed by a cylindrical taper key.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, in which said cylindrical taper key is provided with two conical surfaces.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 13, which includes screw means operatively connected to said taper key for adjusting and tightening the same.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, which includes elastic means preloading said screw means.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said device forms a free rider.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, which includes frame means supporting said free rider.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 18, in which said frame means comprises a tubular frame including at least two pipes.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, in which said tubular frame is at least partially designed as a closed tubular mantle.
 21. An apparatus according to claim 19, which includes a fuel tank for said actuating means, said fuel tank being mounted on said frame means.
 22. An apparatus according to claim 21, which includes elastic suspension means for elastically suspending said fuel tank on said frame means.
 23. An apparatus according to claim 19, which includes connecting means mounted on said frame means, and guiding rail means detachably connected to said connecting means for receiving the object to be driven.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 23, in which said guiding rail means comprises guiding rails of different lengths.
 25. An apparatus according to claim 18, which includes bellows means associated with said actuating means, and protective means supported by said frame means for protecting said bellows means.
 26. An apparatus according to claim 18, which includes power indicating means arranged at the upper end of said frame means.
 27. An apparatus according to claim 26, in which said frame means has its upper end provided with eye means for suspension on a crane hook, said power indicating means being connected to said eye means.
 28. An apparatus according to claim 26, in which said power indicating means includes spring means.
 29. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes remote control means operatively connected to said actuating means for controlling the same.
 30. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said holding means is provided with clamping jaws for holding the object to be pulled or driven, said clamping jaws differing in length from each other.
 31. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said actuating means is formed by a vibration tamper.
 32. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said actuating means is formed by a vibration hammer. 